Premedical Requirements
Prospective medical students must have earned 71 semester hours or the equivalent in an accredited US or Canadian college or university.
Biology/lab (8 semester hours)
Inorganic Chemistry/lab (8 semester hours)
Organic Chemistry/lab (8 semester hours)
Physics/lab (8 semester hours)
Math/Statistics (6 semester hours) - Any college-level math course
Biochemistry (3 semester hours)
English (6 semester hours)
Humanities Courses (6 semester hours) – (includes additional English course work, Languages, Art, Music, History, Philosophy, Religion, etc.)
Also Recommended:
Anatomy & Physiology
Cell Biology
Developmental Biology & Embryology
Genetics
Neuroscience
Microbiology
The Medical College Admissions Test
The MCAT is required of all applicants and can be taken at any time, but no later than January of the year that you are seeking admission. Only MCAT scores taken within the last 3 years prior to matriculation will be considered.
For MCAT information, see: https://students-residents.aamc.org/taking-mcat-exam/taking-mcat-exam
AMCAS and Secondary Applications
For AMCAS information, see: https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school-amcas/applying-medical-school-amcas
The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application must be used by all prospective applicants to the College of Medicine. The deadline for filing the completed AMCAS application is December 15 of the year immediately preceding the school year in which the applicant expects to enter medical school. Once AMCAS has notified HUCM Admissions that the application has been verified, the College of Medicine will invite, via email, the applicant to submit a secondary application.
Technical Standards of the College of Medicine
A physician must have the knowledge and skills to function effectively in a broad variety of laboratory and clinical situations. Students matriculating in and graduating from Howard University College of Medicine must be able to meet the technical requirements of the academic program and not pose a threat to the well-being of patients or themselves.
The COM faculty has declared that matriculating students and candidates for admission should have the capabilities and skills described below in order to graduate.
Students matriculating in and graduating from Howard University College of Medicine must be able to meet the technical requirements of the academic program and not pose a threat to the well-being of patients or themselves. The COM faculty has declared that matriculating students and candidates for admission should have the capabilities and skills described below in order to graduate. The COM requires compliance with these technical standards with or without accommodation.
Observation
Candidates and students must be able to observe demonstrations and participate in experiments in the basic sciences determined essential by the faculty. Students must be able to observe a patient accurately both at a distance and close at hand, noting nonverbal as well as verbal signals. Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and other sensory modalities.
Communication
Candidates and students should be able to speak intelligibly, hear sufficiently, and observe individuals closely in order to elicit and transmit information; they should be able to describe changes in mood, activity, and posture, and to perceive nonverbal communication. They must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and with all members of the health care team. Communication includes not only speech, but also reading and writing; students and candidates must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in both oral and written English, as well as possess reading skills at a level sufficient to fulfill curricular requirements. Physicians must be capable of completing appropriate medical records, documents, and plans according to protocol, in a complete and timely manner.
Sensory and Motor Coordination and Function
Students and candidates should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion and other diagnostic maneuvers. They should be able to do basic laboratory tests, carry out diagnostic procedures, and evaluate EKGs and radiological studies. Students and candidates should be able to execute movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Examples of emergency treatment reasonably required of physicians are basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of intravenous medication, application of pressure to stop bleeding, opening of obstructed airways, suturing simple wounds and performance of simple obstetrical maneuvers. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
Intellectual-conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of physicians, requires that students and candidates possess all of these intellectual abilities. Students must be able to identify significant findings from history, physical examination, and laboratory data; to provide a reasoned explanation for likely diagnoses, and to retain information and recall it in an efficient and timely manner. The ability to incorporate new information from peers, teachers, and medical literature in formulating diagnoses and plans is essential. In addition, students and candidates must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.
Good judgment in patient assessment, diagnostic, and therapeutic planning is essential; students must be able to identify and communicate their knowledge to others when appropriate.
Behavioral-Social
Students and candidates must possess the emotional health required for the full use of their intellectual abilities. The exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients – these skills are required of students. Students must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, display flexibility and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities that must be evaluated positively during the admissions and educational process. Students must be open to examining personal attitudes, perceptions, and stereotypes that may negatively affect patient care and professional relationships, and candidates must possess the requisite flexibility to self-examine. Students and candidates must also possess the requisite maturity and insight to respond quickly, positively and appropriately to constructive feedback provided by teachers, peers and other colleagues, and to maintain a professional demeanor in the face of challenging circumstances. Students must be able to care for, in a non-judgmental way, persons whose ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, or spiritual beliefs are different from their own. They must be able to examine the entire patient, male or female, regardless of their social, cultural, or religious beliefs. Candidates must therefore be similarly non-judgmental in interactions with others.
Ethical - Legal
Students and candidates must be of the highest ethical and moral character. Graduates of the COM are expected to meet the legal standards to be licensed to practice medicine. As such, candidates for admission must acknowledge and provide written explanation of any felony or misdemeanor conviction prior to or during matriculation. In addition, should a felony or misdemeanor conviction occur after application, but prior to matriculation, or while in medical school, a student must immediately notify the Associate Dean of Students in writing as to the nature of the conviction, as certain felony convictions will preclude future licensure. Failure to disclose felony or certain misdemeanor convictions can lead to disciplinary action by the school that may include dismissal.
Statement on Equal Access to the College of Medicine’s Educational Program
The Howard University College of Medicine does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities who apply for admission to the MD degree program or who are enrolled as medical students. Otherwise qualified individuals shall not be excluded from admission or participation in the COM’s educational programs and activities solely by reason of their disability or medical condition. The COM provides reasonable accommodation in its academic programs to qualified individuals with disabilities. A reasonable accommodation is one that does not require substantial program modification or lower academic standards. Learning disabilities are included under this policy.
A Note to Candidates and Students:
Should a candidate or student have or develop a condition or disability that would place patients or others at risk, or that would jeopardize his or her ability to satisfy the above technical standards (with reasonable accommodation, if needed, as judged by the Howard University Office of the Dean for Special Student Services) and complete medical student education, pursue residency training and become licensed, the candidate may be denied admission or, if a student, may be dismissed from school.
It is the responsibility of a candidate or student with a disability or other condition, or a student who develops a disability, and who requires accommodation to notify, in writing, the Office of the Dean for Special Student Services (ODSSS) of the disability or condition, and to provide adequate documentation of the general nature and extent of the disability, the functional limitations to be accommodated, and the accommodation requested. In the event that additional documentation is required regarding the nature and extent of a disability, the COM or the ODSSS may require that a candidate/ student undergo an evaluation by experts for purposes of determining whether the candidate/student, with or without accommodation, is able to meet these technical standards. A student who has or develops any chronic disease or condition will be expected to seek and continue in the care of a qualified health care provider.
The CASPer Test - Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics
All applicants to the College of Medicine at Howard University are required to complete an online assessment (CASPer), to assist with our selection process. Please note, this is the first year we are having overlapping test seasons, which means two separate application cycles are open at the same time. If you are applying for the Fall 2019 application cycle, please select the 2018-2019 cycle. If you are applying for the Fall 2020 application cycle, please select the 2019-2020 cycle. If you are unsure which application cycle you fall under, please contact us at hucmadmissions@howard.edu. Successful completion of CASPer is mandatory in order to maintain admission eligibility.
CASPer is an online test which assesses for non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program, and will complement the other tools that we use for applicant screening. In implementing CASPer, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process.
In order to take CASPer, you will be responsible for securing access to a computer with audio capabilities, a webcam, and a reliable internet connection on your selected test date. CASPer can be taken practically anywhere that you can satisfy the aforementioned requirements. No exceptions will be provided for applicants unable to take CASPer online due to being located at sites where internet is not dependable due to technical or political factors.
Please go to www.takeCASPer.com to sign up for the American Professional Health Sciences test (CSP10111) and reserve a test using your AMCAS ID Number and a piece of government-issued photo ID. You will be provided with a limited number of testing dates and times. Please note that these are the only testing dates available for your CASPer test. There will be no additional tests scheduled. Please use an email address that you check regularly; there may be updates to the test schedule.
Please direct any inquiries on the test to support@takecasper.com. Alternatively, you may use the chat bubble in the bottom right hand corner of your screen on the takecasper.com website.
The CASPer test is comprised of 12 sections of video and written scenarios. Following each scenario, you will be required to answer a set of probing questions under a time contract. The test typically takes between 75-90 minutes to complete. Each response is graded by a different rater, giving a very robust and reliable view of personal and professional characteristics important to our program. No studying is required for CASPer, although you may want to familiarize yourself with the test structure at takeCASPer.com, and ensure you have a quiet environment to take the test.
CASPer test results are valid for one admissions cycle. Applicants who have already taken the test in previous years will therefore be expected to re-take it.
Other Admissions Facts
- Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement and potential as well as appropriate intellectual personal and social traits.
- Applicants must demonstrate an interest in solving the problems associated with health disparities and should have experience working or volunteering with underserved communities.
- Applicants should meet the GPA and MCAT scores: Science GPA of 3.0 and a MINIMUM total MCAT 494 (New MCAT).
- Admission into any of the Dual M.D. degree programs and the regular M.D. degree are highly competitive. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee an interview, nor admission.
If you are accepted to the College of Medicine:
Students who have accepted our offer of admissions are expected to submit medical forms (physical, immunization and history and transcripts [if classes were taken after the AMCAS verification], no later than June 30).
For accepted International Students ONLY, financial information must be submitted no later than June 30.
Criminal Background Checks
To maintain the safety and well-being of patients, maintain the ability of accepted applicants and enrolled medical students to become licensed as physicians, and reduce liability concerns affecting medical schools and their affiliated clinical facilities, AAMC recommends a criminal background check for all enrolled medical students.
Students conditionally admitted as incoming freshmen into the Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM) will be subject to a Criminal Background Check (CBC) through the AMCAS facilitated CBC of the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC). In order to matriculate into the COM, all new entrants MUST satisfactorily pass the criminal background check. Additionally, a second background check and drug screening will be administered, and must be satisfactorily passed, prior to matriculation into the junior year of study.
Interviewing at HUCM
Each year, the Admissions committee conducts interviews with about 300 applicants.
About Interviews
- Interviews are by invitation only.
- Invitations to interview are sent email, approximately three weeks prior to the desired interview date.
- Interviews usually take place between late September through April, usually on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
- A typical interview day will include presentations detailing the HUCM history and mission, an overview of the curriculum, tours, financial aid seminar and lunch with students.
- Interviewees will have at least one 30–45 minute interview with member of faculty.
It is important to us that prospective students “get to know Howard.” Therefore, interviewees should anticipate spending most of the day on campus.
Recommendations
HUCM requires at least two letters of recommendation from science professions (i.e., instructors who taught applicant in classroom or lab and gave a grade) or a committee letter of evaluation. Letters from research staff or volunteer venues will be accepted IN ADDITION to science recommendations referred to above. All letters of recommendations MUST be sent to AMCAS for uploading. Do not send letters of recommendation to the HUCM Admissions office unless requested. They will not be reviewed. We will be able to review your letters electronically along with the rest of your AMCAS application.
If available, candidates may participate in electronic evaluation services such as Interfolio or VIRTUAL EVALUATIONS. Virtual Evaluation and Interfolio participate in the AMCAS recommendation system.
Because of the large number of recommendations, and because recommendations now are sent to AMCAS, we do not acknowledge receipt of recommendations. If you have received validation from AMCAS that your recommendations have been received and if you have received acknowledgement of receipt of your HUCM secondary, you can consider your file complete.